How many game books on your shelf have you never used?

[Jack Spencer Jr]

I recently ditched most of my game collection because I realised I never use any of it. I am not entirely sure why I bought any of it. I think because I wanted to have fun playing, but they never comtributed one whit to play, so I ditched them.

So, how about you?

 

[DaveMage]

It's hard to say. I have hundreds of d20 books, and I've skimmed through all of them. I use them as idea mines, so even though I may never use anything out of them as written, they inspire me.

But, to answer your question, I've probably used about 50 of them.

 

[Fenes]

I have a tons of books I rarely use, but for maybe some inspiration. But as a collector I could never ditch them!

 

[Zappo]

I never buy anything that I'm not planning to use. My gaming library isn't terribly huge, but it all gets to be used. Well, except for the Book of Erotic Fantasy. But that's just a matter of time.

 

[Menexenus]

I, too, have tons of gaming material that I never have (and probably never will) use. I've never counted them all, but I have just recently filled my second 6 foot tall bookshelf with gaming material. Why do I keep it all (and continue buying more)? Good question. My wife frequently asks me the same thing. I've finally just started calling myself a "collector" and somehow that seems to make it OK. But "addict" would probably be a more accurate description. I guess congratulations are in order to the person who started this thread for kicking the habit.

 

[IronWolf]

I reference the majority of my books in some manner at some point during a campaign. Possibly for just one small piece of information or something to help add some flavor to the area, but they do get used. Though some less than others. I try to only buy stuff I think I will use at some point and do not buy every new book that comes out.

 

[trentonjoe]

I have a significant # of books I don't use. I have a significant # of books for games I don't know how to play. In fact, I have a signifcant # of books I don't know I have.

Everynow and then I go down stairs and pullput Slayers Guid eot Shaguin or the GURPS Magic Item book and read a few pages.

If money and space aren't an issue I would reccomend holding on to them. You never know where an idea may come from.

 

[reveal]

Zero.

I have used every book on my shelves at least once. I never buy a book I'm not planning on using for something.

 

[JustKim]

I can't remember what all books from all systems I haven't pulled anything from, but looking at my 3E collection I can pick out the ones I haven't used yet. They're mostly campaign setting specific books, but there are some supplements. Shaman's Handbook, Book of Hallowed Might, Traps & Treachery II and Dragons (AEG) have all gone unloved. Far more are the books I only pulled a feat or creature or spell from.

 

[Turjan]

I have lots of books I haven't used anything from directly. I like to read gaming books for ideas or just for the fun of looking how somebody did what he wanted to achieve. In a sense, I use many gaming books in the same way I use most of the other books I have: I just read them, and if they were good, I might read them again. Sometimes, I use some ideas out of them .

E.g., I bought the Dragonlance Campaign Setting, when it sold for 60% off, although I was sure I would never ever play a Dragonlance game, only in order to look whether it contained a few cool ideas. I also have books for gaming systems that I do not intend to play, because of the same reason .